Method and apparatus for practicing IP telephony from an internet-capable radio

• US 20060114890A1
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lonecraft Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lonecraft Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Martin Boys, Donald Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/333,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114890A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/85 which are mobile communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

An Internet radio device is provided, having a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) telephony mode for practicing telephony and for enabling one-touch initiation and call connection of an IP telephone call to a recipient device. The internet radio comprises, an IP telephony software application for enabling IP telephony, a modem for accessing and connecting to a data-packet-network, a sound circuitry for facilitating audio conversion and transmission, and a programmable array of input indicia for enabling one touch initiation and connection of an IP telephony call operating in the telephony mode. When a user selects the IP telephony mode IP telephony calling is enabled wherein the user may activate a pre-programmed indicia for the purpose of initiating and establishing an IP telephony call to an intended recipient device.

Claims

1. An Internet radio device having a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) telephony mode for practicing telephony and for enabling one-touch initiation and call connection of an IP telephone call to a recipient device comprising:

an IP telephony software application for enabling IP telephony;

a modem for accessing and connecting to a data-packet-network;

a sound circuitry for facilitating audio conversion and transmission; and

a programmable array of input indicia for enabling one touch initiation and connection of an IP telephony call operating in the telephony mode;

characterized in that when a user selects the IP telephony mode IP telephony calling is enabled wherein the user may activate one of a pre-programmed indicia for the purpose of initiating and establishing an IP telephony call to an intended recipient device.

2. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein the data-packet-network is the Internet network accessed by the Internet radio device in wireless communication mode.

3. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein the recipient device is one of a personal computer, a telephone, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, or another Internet radio with an IP telephony mode.

4. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein the input indicia comprises an array of buttons.

5. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein the input indicia comprises a turn able dial.

6. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein the input indicia comprises voice-activated selections in memory.

7. The Internet radio device of claim 1 wherein data programmable into the indicia includes names, telephone numbers, and IP addresses.

8. The Internet radio device of claim 7 wherein the data programmable into the indicia appears in a display window on the device when one of the indicia is selected and activated.

9. The Internet radio device of claim 8 wherein the data programmable into the indicia appears in the display window during programming.

10. A system for facilitating IP telephony practiced from an Internet radio device comprising:

an Internet radio device having a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) telephony mode for enabling one-touch initiation and call connection of a wireless IP telephone call to a recipient device;

a network access station to a data-packet-network, the station accessible from the Internet radio device;

a directory server connected to a data-packet-network for providing telephony and IP routing services, the directory server accessible from the Internet radio device; and

at least one distributed IP telephony server connected to the data-packet-network for providing dedicated telephony routing services;

characterized in that IP telephony calls are placed from the Internet radio device into the data packet network through the network access station and are routed over the network first by the directory server and then by the at least one IP telephony server.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the data-packet-network is the Internet network.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the recipient device is one of a personal computer, a telephone, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, or another Internet radio with an IP telephony mode.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the Internet radio device is a mobile device operating in wireless mode.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the Internet radio device emulates an RF radio as a programmable in-dash vehicle component.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one distributed IP telephony server is located in a geographic point on a network closest to a bridging facility into a disparate network of a call recipient, the location functioning to maximize the use of the IP network infrastructure.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the dispatched network is one of a cellular telephone network or one of a connection-oriented-switched-telephone network.

17. A method for placing an IP telephone call from an Internet radio device, the device having a dedicated IP telephony mode for practicing telephony and for enabling one-touch initiation and call connection of an IP telephone call to a recipient device comprising steps of:

(a) establishing a connection from the device to an IP network;

(b) activating a mode selection feature to select telephony mode; and

(c) activating one of pre-programmed indicia provided on the device, the activated indicia pre-programmed with at least the intended recipient'"'"'s call data;

18. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (a) the IP network is the Internet network.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (a) the connection is a wireless connection.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (a) the connection is established by powering on a vehicle hosting the Internet radio device.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (c) activation is by pressing one of a button array comprising the indicia.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (c) activation is by turning a dial to specific increment, the increments of the dial comprising the indicia.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (c) activation is by voice and the indicia is in memory of the device.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (c) the call data includes one of a cellular telephone number, a connection oriented switched telephone number, or an IP address.